THE 4400
Episode 204
"SUFFER THE CHILDREN"
By
Frederick Rappaport
Shawn is racing down the stairs at the center.
MALE
Shawn, we need you!
Jordan is on the floor in the foyer, writhing in pain. Shawn
rushes to him and holds his head in his hands.
SHAWN
Jordan?
He uses his power to heal him.
Later they sit and talk.
COLLIER
You don't have to keep visual, Shawn.
SHAWN
Are you going to cancel the appearance
at River Front Park?
COLLIER
No. That would be a mistake. They're
not just honouring me, they're honouring
the center and all the work we've done.
SHAWN
A new neurological clinic just opened
in Atlanta.
COLLIER
Now look, look....
SHAWN
Shhh!
COLLIER
I've been to all the specialists Shawn.
There's no name for what I have.
SHAWN
We can't just give up. There's gotta
be a way to figure out what that baby
did to you.
COLLIER
I know what that baby did to me. It
saved my life.
SHAWN
What? What are you talking about?
COLLIER
When I touched Lily's pregnant belly
and was hit with that pain, I realised
I'd been judged and found wanting.
SHAWN
By a baby that wasn't even born yet?
COLLIER
In that moment, I was forced to see
the truth about myself. About my motives
towards the 4400. And they were....not
pure.
SHAWN
That baby tried to kill you.
COLLIER
And it succeeded. It killed the old
Jordan Collier and I was reborn. Pure
of purpose. All I've done since, everything
I've built, I owe to Richard, to Lily
and to that child.
Richard and Lily are in a room. There's a knock at the door
RICHARD
I'll get it
He answers the door to find Heidi and her father standing there.
RICHARD
Hey!
BRIAN
Hi!
RICHARD
Come in!
They enter the room
RICHARD
Lily! Look who's here!
Lily get's to her feet holding Isabelle
BRIAN
We would have called but Heidi wanted
to surprise you.
LILY
Heidi.
HEIDI
Hi Mom. She's so cute.
BRIAN
Now that you guys are living on the
block, I figured it was time for Heidi
to meet her real mom.
Heidi turns to Richard
HEIDI
And that makes you my second Dad
Richard laughs
RICHARD
I guess so
Sounds of Lily crying can be heard, although Lily is not crying
in the scene
HEIDI
Mom, why are you crying?
BRIAN
Lily are you alright?
RICHARD AND BRIAN
Lily?
Lily wakes up from the dream. They're still in the car.
RICHARD
Lily. Lily. Sweetheart, wake up!
LILY
It was a dream.
RICHARD
More like a nightmare.
LILY
Oh no. We were living next door to Heidi
and Brian. We were all getting along
and the house, Richard, it was so pretty.
RICHARD
Well why were you crying?
LILY
Guess I knew it wasn't real. How long
can we keep going before someone catches
up to us?
RICHARD
We just gotta keep moving. Stay ahead
of Collier and NTAC.
LILY
I'm just so tired of running.
RICHARD
We're gonna find a place to stop running.
It's out there. Gotta be.
Fairview, Washington
A young boy is playing the violin while a girl accompanies him
on the piano. Their teacher is Heather Tobey, one of the 4400
who disappeared on March 2nd 1974. She watches their performance
and smiles. She then wanders through the classroom where many
children are concentrating on different things. Painting, music
etc. She bends down to a young girl who is painting.
HEATHER
You've come so far. That's so good.
She walks up to another boy who is also painting.
HEATHER
Nice use of colour.
Another boy is sitting at a table drawing a comic strip
HEATHER
It's shaping up great, but I think it
could use some work.
GREG
That's as good as it gets.
He show's no interest and continues to read his magazine. Heather
kneels beside him and looks into his eyes, whilst placing her
hand on his shoulder
GREG
Don't waste your time.
The Head Teacher [Herman] walks into the room accompanied by
a sheriff.
HERMAN
Miss Tobey? Would you come with us please?
CHILD
What's the sheriff doing here?
They walk out into the hallway
HEATHER
Herman! Herman! Sam! What's this all
about.
SAM [SHERIFF]
Miss Tobey, I'm placing you under arrest.
The other officer places her in handcuffs while the children
look on
HEATHER
Arrest? For what?
SAM
Child abuse.
HEATHER
Oh my God!
Titles
Susan is at Toms house. She sits at a table while Tom walks in
from the kitchen and pours her some coffee
TOM
Look, you know the kids birth certificate
say's that he's 21. But emotionally,
Kyle is still a teenager. We gotta accept
the fact that he's gonna screw up and
be a teenager.
SUSAN
He'll learn from his mistakes. Get it
out of his system. But Shawn....It's
been a year. How could he cut us out
like that?
TOM
Danny, he's eating himself up inside.
He used to be such a sweet boy.
TOM
Yeah, I remember what Pop used to say.
If you think you've got problems, wait
till you become a parent.
SUSAN
Little did we know.
Kyle and Danny are in Kyle's bedroom playing videogames.
KYLE
You know, I bet they're talking about
us downstairs.
DANNY
That's what they live for. If they didn't
have us to worry about, they'd die of
boredom. Seen you around campus.
KYLE
Saw you too. Why didn't you say something?
DANNY
It's been like, four years. I mean,
what was I supposed to say? Welcome
back from coma world? I don't know,
I guess seeing you reminded me of Shawn.
You two were always so tight.
KYLE
And you were like our shadow. Where
you going? Can I come too?
DANNY
I thought you guys were so cool. I was
14, what did I know? Mom say's you talked
to him?
KYLE
I don't think he heard me.
DANNY
Yeah. I used to blame Shawn for everything.
Stealing Nikki, running out on us the
way he did. Breaking Mom's heart. But
it wasn't his fault. The bastard's who
took him, sent him back a freak. They're
the one's.
KYLE
Guess they screwed us all up.
Collier is making a speech, in a park
COLLIER
Well I want to thank Councilman Lowe
on behalf of the 4400 center, for this
wonderful offer. In funding this clean
up project, I wanted to pay tribute
not only to the glories of the past,
but to the promise of the future. I
believe that the actions we take and
the choices we make, will create the
kind of future that we and our children
and their children, will live in.
A large banner hangs above his head, saying the words 'Protect
The Future'
COLLIER
Thankyou
The audience applauds
Two teenagers [possibly early twenties] are taking food from
the table, when they're grabbed by security guards.
LIV
Hey! Come on! Get your hands off of
me! You want to break it? Stop it!
Shawn walks over
SHAWN
Hey! What's the deal?
GUARD
These people don't belong here.
LIV
No, you're the one's who don't belong
here! This used to be our home before
you scumbags decided to make everything
beautiful and kicked us out!
SHAWN
It's ok, you can let them go.
GUARD
They were stealing food.
SHAWN
Well last time I checked, the food was
free. Don't make me pull rank. Come
on.
GUARD
Yes sir, Mr Farrell.
SHAWN
Thankyou.
The guard walks away
LIV
Big shot, huh? I'm impressed.
SHAWN
I'm really sorry that we trashed your
home. I am.
MALE
You should be. It's a hell of a lot
warmer here than crashing near the Arnheim
Bridge.
LIV
So this stuff's free, right?
SHAWN
Yes, absolutely. Please be my guests.
LIV
Yeah, we will. Protect the future huh?
Gotta have one first.
Shawn walks away
Diana and Tom make their way to the car park to head off to Fairview,
to meet with Heather
DIANA
Even on the map, the area seems far
away.
TOM
It's four hours, tops.
DIANA
This is my first time spending the night
away from Maia.
TOM
Isn't your sister with her? The one
with all the tattoo's? Sorry.
DIANA
Those beer kegs Kyle ordered should
be showing up right about now.
TOM
Have you read these charges? Teacher
accused of reckless endangerment. Placing
the students health, safety and welfare
at risk. Could that be any more vague?
DIANA
Well that could be anything from grabbing
them on the arms to touching them on
the privates, or maybe she did nothing.
TOM
Nothing would be my vote. A 4400 serial
killer is bad enough. A 4400 child molester?
Angry parents arrive at the school
VENNER
Damn right we don't want her back! Not
now, not ever!
HERMAN
Look! I don't know what's gonna happen
with Miss Tobey!
MALE
She's out on bail, right?
HERMAN
That's right and her bond was paid by
parents from this school.
VENNER
If they're not worried about their kids
then we'll worry for them. Ask Saller
, he'll tell them. His kid was abused.
Same as Melinda and Kay.
Tom and Diana enter
TOM
What about your child, Mr uh...
VENNER
Venner! Frank Venner. It's not like
she didn't try with my boy. Greg just
happened to be one of the lucky ones.
DIANA
Tried what?
VENNER
Now who the hell are you two?
DIANA
I'm agent Skouris, this is agent Baldwin.
We're with NTAC.
MALE
Great! You got here just in time.
VENNER
Yeah, the cops let her go. You can take
her to quarantine or stick her back
in jail!
CROWD
Put her away. Lock her up.
TOM
She hasn't been found guilty of anything
yet.
VENNER
She's a 4400 isn't she? She should never
have been allowed back in this school
in the first place.
Tom and Diana walk down the school hallway with Herman
DIANA
According to the preliminary exams,
none of the kids showed any signs of
abuse.
TOM
No marks, no bruises?
HERMAN
No physical signs at any rate.
DIANA
So what are we talking about. Some kind
of mental abuse?
HERMAN
Personally, I'm not convinced it's abuse
at all, but there's no denying that
some of the students have been changed.
TOM
Changed? In what way?
They get to see some of Heathers students demonstrate their individual
talents. A boy plays a violin for them
DIANA
That was beautiful
VIOLINIST
I guess.
TOM
You're telling me, two weeks ago you'd
never played a violin?
VIOLINIST
Never even touched one.
Another boy sits in front of them with his paintings on display
ARTIST
Hey, I only took this class cos art
appreciation's supposed to be a guaranteed
A. You're supposed to learn about dead
painters and stuff.
A girl excitedly tells them about her work.
SCULPTOR
It's so cool. I look at a bunch of clay
and see the figure I wanna mould. I
just carve away the pieces I don't need
and there it is.
Gregs turn. He sits there sullenly
GREG
You should see the way she stares at
you. Like she's drilling a hole. Trying
to get in there, rearrange your brain.
Back with the violinist
VIOLINIST
One minute she was touching my shoulder.
The next thing I remember, she was handing
me a violin.
The boy with the paintings continues
ARTIST
Man, I'm standing there wondering, 'What
the hell am I doing with a paintbrush
in my hand?'
The sculptor
SCULPTOR
And then I see this block of clay and
it was like, 'Where have you been all
my life?'
ARTIST
My Dad's big dream was to get me a football
scholarship. It used to be my dream
too, but this painting stuff, I'm really
into it now.
VIOLINIST
Miss Tobey's the best teacher I've ever
had in my life.
GREG
My Dad say's, these kids may seem normal
now, but in like, two years, they may
develop like, brain tumours, go blind,
crazy, who knows? You guys should throw
her back in jail.
Tom has his head in his hands
DIANA
Your Dad. He wouldn't be Frank Venner
by any chance, would he?
GREG
How did you know?
TOM
Oh just, wild guess.
They later visit Heather at her home and all three sit around
the table talking
HEATHER
Hurt my students? That's so ridiculous.
DIANA
Well it's not ridiculous to these parents.
People get scared when they don't recognise
their kids.
HEATHER
But they're still the same kids. I just
find what's already inside them and
help bring it out.
TOM
How do you do that?
HEATHER
I study them. Sometimes there's a light
in their eyes, like a tiny flame. And
while I'm watching, it get's brighter.
That's when I know there's something
in them. Something beautiful.
DIANA
So this light. Have you seen it in anyone
else?
HEATHER
It doesn't seem to work with grown-ups.
It doesn't work with every kid, either.
Like this one boy, Greg Venner? I keep
looking but so far....
DIANA
I think his Father's pretty adamant
that you stop looking.
HEATHER
Frank? I taught Frank. He was one of
my first students back in '72. The fact
is, I probably taught have the parents
that are out to get me. This is crazy!
I haven't done anything wrong! I need
to get back to my kids. The people who
took me....it can't be an accident they
gave me t his wonderful gift. That's
why they sent me back. To use it.
Lily is behind the wheel of the car, waiting for Richard who
has gone into a store. A police car pulls up beside her. Two
officers get out and walk into the store. Richard looks up worriedly,
grabs something from the shelf and walks to the checkout. One
of the policemen watches him as he leaves
OFFICER
Tyler? Richard Tyler. Richard Tyler
Richard looks out at Lily and signals her to drive off, which
she does.
RICHARD
Yes, I'm Richard Tyler.
Liv and Wayne arrive at their makeshift home under the bridge
LIV
Wayne coughed up a lung for ten hours.
What have we got to show for it? Less
than twenty bucks
The others are sat eating pizza
WAYNE
What have I gotta do? Die to make a
living?
LIV
Who scored the feast?
MALE
No-one. It's your friend's treat.
WOMAN
Hey Shawn! Look who showed.
SHAWN
I was in the mood for pizza. Didn't
feel like eating alone, so....
LIV
My very own fairy Godfather. Or are
you just some rich boy looking to rent
some down and dirty for the night.
SHAWN
I'm not here for that.
LIV
What's the matter, am I not good enough
for you?
SHAWN
Maybe I'm not good enough for you.
LIV
I can get behind that.
She turns to her friends
LIV
Yo Wayne! Pepperoni!
She turns to Shawn
LIV
You gonna stand there and watch or you
gonna sit down and eat?
Lily phones Brian from her car
BRIAN
Hello?
LILY
Brian, it's me, Lily.
BRIAN
Lily, where are you? You know, NTAC's
been calling me all summer, trying to
find you.
LILY
Brian look, I need your help. Richard,
he's been arrested. You're a lawyer.
I need you to call the Sheriff's office
in Weldon, Idaho. See what you can find
out.
BRIAN
Well look, I don't know what I can do
for the guy, I'm not a criminal lawyer.
LILY
Brian, if you don't wanna help.
BRIAN
I swear to God Lily! You disappear for
over a year and then you call me up
with stories about the police arresting
your boyfriend.
LILY
Richard's my husband. We have a child.
A six month old girl. How's Heidi?
BRIAN
She's good. Started seventh grade. It's
her first semester.
LILY
That's wonderful. Brian, I'm sorry to
be bothering you with this but I have
nowhere else to turn.
BRIAN
Ok, I'll make a few calls and do whatever
I can.
Tom and Diana go to visit the violinist's father at work
FATHER
I gotta admit. When Mike first came
home with that violin and started playing,
his Mom and me, we were both a little
spooked.
DIANA
So why did you help pay Heather's bail.
FATHER
I would have paid the whole thing if
I could have afforded it. My wife, uh,
she shot a video of Mike playing, sent
it over to the conservatory? Next day
they called back. Said our son was a
prodigy.
TOM
Did you tell them he'd been playing
for only two weeks?
FATHER
They thought I was putting them on.
Talked about how his playing was worthy
of scholarship. You know, I thought
this kid was going to end up working
on the assembly line, like his old man.
Now he's got a way out.
TOM
Miss Tobey's at NTAC today for a physical.
We're asking the parents of the students
she's gifted, to come in to be interviewed.
FATHER
No problem, I'll call his Mom. We'll
do anything we need to, to get Heather
back in that classroom.
TOM
Great.
DIANA
Thanks.
Shawn is back at the center telling Collier about his evening
SHAWN
You should have seen them chowing down
on the pizza. Just getting enough to
eat, you know? It's such a struggle.
COLLIER
And you made that struggle a little
easier. I'm proud of you, Shawn.
SHAWN
I'm thinking of going back down there.
There's so much they need. Jackets,
sleeping bags, maybe a couple of first
aid kits? Just basic stuff to survive,
you know?
COLLIER
You give them all the supplies they
need.
SHAWN
Alright.
COLLIER
But look, whatever you do Shawn, don't
reveal your healing ability.
SHAWN
Why? Cos they can't pay?
COLLIER
No. Because, if you heal one of them,
you'll have to heal them all.
The phone rings.
COLLIER
I mean it. Not even you can do that.
Shawn leaves and Collier speaks into the phone
COLLIER
Yeah! I'm listening. When was this?
Shawn is in a store with Wayne and Liv. They both begin to play
guitars
LIV
Sweet!
SHAWN
I'm a little rusty.
LIV
One of these day's I'm gonna write a
concept album. Put my talent on the
street.
SHAWN
Oh.
LIV
Gonna win a grammy. Get the bling bling.
Get a a private jet. One of those big
old gated houses. Enough room for Wayne,
Kimmy and Shadow.
SHAWN
Sounds like a plan
Later, Shawn leaves the store to find her talking with friends.
Wayne has bought a coat
LIV
Yeah, matches the dress.
SHAWN
Hey
LIV
First time in months I haven't seen
him shivering.
SHAWN
It's amazing what a warm coat will do.
WAYNE
Yeah.
LIV
Got yourself that guitar, huh?
SHAWN
No actually, you know what? I got you
a guitar.
WOMAN
What's the matter baby girl? You act
like you never had a present before.
LIV
It's been a while.
She picks up the guitar and looks at Wayne before walking away
LIV
You touch this, you die
WAYNE
Touch it, you die?
SHAWN
I guess so.
Kyle and Danny take a walk through campus
KYLE
I hate lies. I hate waiting, you know?
DANNY
Trust me, there'll be no waiting tonight.
I've been to this club plenty of times.
I know the bouncer. He'll let us walk
right in.
KYLE
I hope you're right. I hate waiting
in line.
They pass a girl sitting on a bench, reading Collier's book
DANNY
Hey, that book you're reading is nothing
but lies. Excuse me, I'm talking to
you! That trash is gonna rot your mind.
KYLE
Danny
Two guys appear. One hands the girl a coffee
MALE
What's going on?
DANNY
She outta be careful. That book's a
load of bull.
MALE
I bought it for her.
DANNY
Big mistake.
MALE
I didn't ask your opinion.
KYLE
Danny. Come on man.
DANNY
Just watch my back, ok? Listen pal,
let me tell you a little something about
cults.
He walks forwards towards the men.
Kyle experiences another blackout and finds himself standing
in his kitchen pouring out a glass of juice. He jumps back in
shock.
Richard is lying on a bed in a cell. The door is opened
RICHARD
What's going on? You letting me go?
The guard stands to one side and Collier walks in
COLLIER
Hello Richard.
Back under the bridge. Shawn is sat listening to Liv play the
guitar
LIV
What's with the filthy grin?
SHAWN
Just the way that you bite your tongue
when you're trying to concentrate.
LIV
I've been doing that since I was a kid.
SHAWN
How long have you been in Seattle?
LIV
Two years. Left my Mom and her new boyfriend.
Came out here for the music. Somehow
my life took a weird turn.
SHAWN
I've had a few of those myself.
LIV
What, you ran away from home too?
SHAWN
Um, sort of. Except I lucked out and
found a place to run to. Otherwise....
LIV
You would have wound up like the rest
of us rejects?
SHAWN
Something like that.
LIV
You're one of those 4400 guys huh? Can
you make my eyes turn green? What, you
able to walk on water?
SHAWN
I like your eyes the way that they are.
And I can hardly swim.
He hugs her
Another man walks up.
DEWIE
Well, what the hell is this?
LIV
Dewie.
She get's up and goes over to him
DEWIE
I see you've been keeping busy.
LIV
No baby, it's just some guy. He brought
us some food and blankets.
SHAWN
Look, who is this guy?
LIV
Shawn, you gotta go.
DEWIE
I'd listen to her.
SHAWN
What are you doing?
DEWIE
Listen, she does whatever I tell her
to do. Do you have a problem with that?
SHAWN
Yeah, yeah I do.
LIV
Shawn please! You've done your good
deed. Just go home, ok? Please?
SHAWN
Come with me. Come with me.
LIV
And then what? Are you gonna rescue
me? I don't wanna be saved. Get the
hell outta here!
Dewie begins kissing her neck
LIV
Go, I mean it! Go!!
He leaves
Greg is getting ready for school when his father walks in
VENNER
Hey! You're not going back to that school.
Not till that woman is gone!
GREG
But what about my other classes? I've
got homework.
VENNER
Since when do you care about school?
GREG
What, you want me to end up like you?
VENNER
You watch your mouth!
GREG
I don't wanna fall behind!
VENNER
Fall behind?With the grades you've been
bringing home? You've been behind since
your first report card.
Danny is angry at Kyle
TOM
What, you just going to sit there, or
are you going to talk to me. Cos I really
think you owe me an explanation. You
know those guys wanted to kill me and
I turn around and my cousin's nowhere
in sight.
KYLE
I don't know what happened.
DANNY
Yeah, I know what happened. You ran
out on me! It's a good thing that security
guard was there.
KYLE
The other time I could blame it on the
beer. You drink too much, you can black
out, alright? But today, I didn't drink
anything. I'm blacking out. Losing chunks
of time. It's like they did something
to my wiring.
DANNY
They? Kyle, who you talking about?
KYLE
Same ones who took Shawn and put me
in a coma. They left me messed up inside.
DANNY
Hey man, you're scaring me.
KYLE
How do you think I feel?
Brian phones Lily
LILY
Brian, any news?
BRIAN
Yes, I got hold of the Weldon authorities
and Richard's been released from custody.
LILY
Oh thank God! When?
BRIAN
About an hour ago.
LILY
Why hasn't he called me?
Richard is sat in an interview room. Collier enters and sits
opposite him at the table
COLLIER
You sure you don't wanna call Lily?
Let her know you're alright?
RICHARD
Am I?
COLLIER
You're in no danger from me, Richard.
All I want is to make you an offer and
if it's not to your liking, then you
can walk out of here, you'll never see
me again.
RICHARD
How much did you pay those cops to call
you instead of NTAC? To get my picture
into their hands?
COLLIER
My money, Richard.
RICHARD
Look, you said I was free to go after
I heard your offer. You got one for
me, make it.
COLLIER
I want you to come home. You and your
family. To the 4400 center.
RICHARD
I don't think so.
COLLIER
You said you read my book. Which means
you know why we were taken and what
we're mean't to do. The future, the
future rests in our hands, Richard.
You, me, Lily. We are the chosen one's.
RICHARD
Come on Jordan. We both know this has
got nothing to do with me or Lily. This
is all about Isabelle.
COLLIER
Isabelle. Well that's a lovely name.
RICHARD
For once, why don't you say what you
really want? To take her from us. Control
us.
COLLIER
Your daughter is the future. I believed
that then and I believe that now.
RICHARD
So what's changed?
COLLIER
I have.
RICHARD
I need more than your word.
COLLIER
Of course. Bring me to Isabelle. Let
her judge me.
RICHARD
Isabelle's not coming anywhere near
you.
COLLIER
What are you afraid of Richard? I'm
the one at risk. I'm still suffering
the after effects of our last encounter.
Richard, it's simple. If I'm lying.
If my motives are not pure, Isabelle
will punish me accordingly. You'll be
free of me once and for all. But if
I'm sincere. If Isabelle accepts me,
well then I can offer you and Lily and
the child a new life. Stop running Richard.
Richard meets with Lily
LILY
Forget it. It's not gonna happen. There's
no way I'm gonna let Isabelle anywhere
near that man.
RICHARD
But think about it. If Collier really
has changed, it means we can get off
the road. Stop running.
LILY
That's a big if.
RICHARD
He offered to act as a middle man between
us and NTAC. Say's he can get them to
back off.
LILY
And you believe him?
RICHARD
He's got lawyers. A whole organisation
behind him. We can barely even pay for
gas.
LILY
He's lied to us before. The man tried
to destroy our relationship.
RICHARD
Ok, say he is lying. Maybe all of this
is kind sort of trap.
LILY
To get his hands on our daughter.
RICHARD
He wants a face to face with Isabelle,
I say we give it to him. You've seen
what she's capable of. What she can
do if she feels threatened.
LILY
It still feels like an awfully big risk.
RICHARD
For Collier.
Diana and Tom take Heather back to the school. A group of angry
parents begin shouting.
CROWD
Get out of here!
HERMAN
Welcome back Heather.
HEATHER
I'm sorry about all this.
DIANA
Once the media loses interest, things
will die down.
TOM
Until it does, we need to discuss how
you intend to handle security.
HERMAN
Let me get Heather situated, then I'll
meet you in my office.
VENNER
Don't get comfortable, cos you're not
staying!
Later, Greg walks into Heather's classroom
HEATHER
Greg! Does your Father know that you're
here?
He pulls out a gun
GREG
It's all your fault. Everything was
ok until you showed up.
HEATHER
Greg, please put the gun down.
GREG
No. You made me do this! I have no choice!
HEATHER
Yes you do. But only if you put the
gun away.
GREG
I can't be here anymore. My Dad won't
let me. This is my last chance!
HEATHER
Greg, calm down. We....
GREG
No! Not until you change me. Like you
did them! You have to. There's nothing
to discuss.
Greg is losing control
GREG
I'll take anything. Violin, painting,
photography, I don't care!
HEATHER
Greg, your problem is with me, not your
classmates. Let them go and you and
I will deal with this, alone.
GREG
Yeah sure. That works for me.
HEATHER
Ok. I'd like you all to leave now. Quietly.
Don't run.
GIRL
Miss Tobey, will you be ok?
GREG
Move!
The children leave and Heather turns on the intercom while Greg
isn't looking
Tom discusses security issues with Herman
HERMAN
For an entire week? Is that really necessary?
TOM
To and from school. Strictly as a precaution.
DIANA
A continued police presence will send
a clear message to anyone who thinks
they can....
Heathers voice comes over the intercom
HEATHER
Ok. So now we're alone. Now do what
you promised. Would you put the gun
down.
GREG
No!
HEATHER
Greg please, put the gun down. It scares
me.
Diana and Tom are listening
GREG
Well good, it's supposed to scare you.
HEATHER
Greg...
Tom hurries outside to find Venner who is still ranting to the
press
VENNER
DA say's we don't have a criminal case?
Fine, we'll take it to civil court.
Once way or another, this woman....
Tom grabs him and pulls him away
TOM
Excuse me.
VENNER
Hey buddy, what's your problem?
TOM
You're needed inside.
Back in the classroom, Heather places her hands on Greg's shoulders
and desperately tries to find something within him
GREG
I don't feel any different
HEATHER
Greg, I'm trying.
GREG
Well try harder! You found it in Mike
and Rita, you can find it in me!
Venner speaks with Tom in the hallway
VENNER
I told you. I told you she was dangerous
and none of you would listen.
TOM
She's not the one holding the gun.
VENNER
Greg is a kid. He doesn't know what
he's doing. She's got his mind all twisted.
Tom grabs him
TOM
I got news for you. I knew everything
I needed to know the first time I talked
to Greg. You're the one who twisted
his mind. You put that gun in his pocket.
VENNER
That is not true. Now you're the only
one who's going to get your son out
of this alive.
Venner is crying
Back in the classroom
HEATHER
Whatever talents we're talking about,
where there to begin with. I'm only
talking about a handful of students.
Venner is listening in
GREG
You found it in them, you can find it
in me! You have to! Before I wind up
like him! Like my Dad!
HEATHER
Is that what you're afraid of?
Tom turns to Venner
TOM
And you were worried she was going to
damage your son.
Greg is distressed
GREG
You know what my Dad's like. He's nothing!
He's a big angry nothing and that's
exactly what he wants me to be! And
I can't let that happen.
He points the gun at her head
GREG
Now Godammit, do something!
He's crying.
GREG
It's no good is it? There's nothing
there.
HEATHER
I'm sorry. Greg, not everybody's mean't
to be an artist or a musician. You will
find a place.
GREG
Sure I will. I have a talent for failure,
just like him.
HEATHER
You don't have to become like your Father.
Somewhere along the line he made a choice.
You can make a different one. A better
one.
Venner speaks to him via the intercom
VENNER
She's right Greg.
GREG
Dad?
VENNER
The mistakes I made, are mine. They're
not yours. Just because I failed, it
doesn't mean that you have to. Please
put down the gun, Greg. Don't let my
mistakes get you killed.
He hands Heather the gun and begins sobbing in her arms.
Wayne runs into the 4400 center
WAYNE
Yo Shawn! You gotta do something man,
he's knocking the crap out of her.
SHAWN
What are you talking about?
WAYNE
Dewie sold that guitar you got for Liv.
Now he's all screwed up, cranked up
or whatknot. She needs you!
SHAWN
Come on. Come on.
They drive to the bridge and race over. Shawn finds Dewie lying
on the floor with Liv crying over him
LIV
I begged him. I told him he'd taken
too much.
WAYNE
Dewie's dying.
LIV
No! No!
Shawn kneels by his head and presses on his chest. Everyone looks
on as he shouts out whilst healing him. Dewie sits up, whilst
Shawn gasps for breath
WAYNE
What did you do.
LIV
He brought him back.
DEWIE
What the hell happened?
LIV
What happened? This guy just saved your
life. Thankyou.
Another man walks up to him
MAN
My leg. Please fix it.
SHAWN
I'm sorry, it doesn't work like that.
MAN
Why not? You helped him
Everyone begins to shout out
CROWD
Save us!
SHAWN
I can't. I can't help everyone, I'm
sorry.
CROWD
Help me. Have mercy.
SHAWN
I'm sorry. I can't help everyone. I
can't help everyone.
The crowd presses in on him and he tries to push his way through
SHAWN
I can't help everyone
He runs to his car
LIV
No! We need you!
He drives away and pulls up around the corner, obviously shaken
by the experience.
Collier pulls up beside Richards car
RICHARD
You sure about this?
COLLIER
Yeah, I'm sure
Lily brings out the baby and walks over to Collier.
COLLIER
Lily. Good to see you. And this is Isabelle.
Hi.
Isabelle stares at him and he touches her head. Nothing happens
and she smiles
COLLIER
Yes.
He kisses her hand
COLLIER
Yes.
Diana and Tom help Heather put her belongings into the boot of
her car
TOM
How's that?
HEATHER
Guess that's it. Goodbye Fairview.
TOM
At least this time, it's your call.
HEATHER
I'll find another town. Another school.
Maybe work as a private tutor for a
while. I just have to figure out a way
to use this gift of mine without causing
so much pain.
DIANA
Well the world could always use a little
more beauty.
HEATHER
I hope so.
TOM
Good luck.
HEATHER
Thanks.
She get's into her car and drives away.
DIANA
I was thinking of getting Maia piano
lessons.
TOM
Oh yeah? Bet she'd like that.
DIANA
Or maybe even study painting, cos she's
always colouring. Unless you could call
that a ripple effect.
TOM
A positive one
The violinist plays his violin in an empty classroom
THE END
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